hallo, amsterdam!

this past weekend, i took my first excursion of my european adventure to amsterdam.  we took the train from gare du nord, a metro ride away from my house.  it was about three hours before we arrived in amsterdam, going through belgium (i'm considering visting brussels... thoughts?).  upon arriving in amsterdam, we had lunch then went to our hostel.  this was my first hostel experience, and special is the only word that can describe it.  first of all, it was a boat.  the christina to be exact.  after walking in the cold around the dock for fifteen minutes, we arrived to boat which looked like no one was there.  so, naturally, i started inquisitively and loudly saying hallo, hallo (hello in dutch) when finally the host woman popped her head out of the door (door meaning shutters for a little space in which you slide into the boat).  then, she showed us our rooms.  now, i have to confess, when i made the reservation, they said that the rooms, even though they had four beds were best suited to three people.  however, in the interest of keeping costs at a minimum, four of us reserved the room.  i probably should have listened to website.  the room was so small, but we all decided it would be a good story to tell when we're old.  then, we went to anne frank's house, which was a really special and touching experience.  it really made me feel connected to my jewish heritage.  then, we went to the heineken brewery which was a lot of fun!  the next day, we went to the van gogh museum which was so beautiful and a great memorial to a troubled but very talented figure in 19th century art.  it was a beautiful city to visit, though not for the gastronomically minded (dutch cuisine is kind of lacking).  a great first adventure.

first week of class... done! amsterdam, here i come!!

And the journey continues... classes have begun, and I am officially a French student (dream come true!).  I started off the week with Hallie Mitnick's grand tour of Université de Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris I, for short).  I'd heard that the building was confusing, so I figured it would be a good idea to find all my classes.  On the grand tour, I was lucky enough to find a wonderful Chinese restaurant, as Paris I is located in Chinatown (what a find!).  Before I discuss my classes, I have to say a few things about Paris I.  Paris I is a highly industrial building, with graffiti on the wall of the classrooms and lots of people smoking outside.  Not much to write home about in terms of ambiance HOWEVER I did find coca cola light for 1 euro and coffee for 50 centimes (win!).  The first class I went to was an advanced art history class that, after thirty minutes, I realized was not going to work out.  My second class was history of international relations.  Finally, I had arrived.  The professor is great, and the material looks really interesting.  My third class was Modern French History, with a great TA and lots of friends in my class!  Today, I had art history and museums, an EDUCO class that was great too.   As a reward for my rigorous week, I'm going to Amsterdam tomorrow with some friends.  Can't wait to go to the home of the Van Gogh Museum, Heineken factory, Anne Frank's house, wooden shoes and edam cheese (the last two are for you, Mom)! Hallo, Amsterdam!!

the eiffel tower and paris I

yesterday i hit one of the most major landmarks i have missed in my whirlwind sightseeing tour, the eiffel tower.  it was truly magnificent.  for some reason, i was surprised by the industrial appearance of it.  this could be because i have a gold keychain of it and/or have seen a million limoge boxes of a painted eiffel tower.  anyways, it was truly amazing and a bit surreal to see the eiffel tower in the flesh.  today, i went to paris I where i'll be studying to find all my classrooms... tomorrow's the first day of class!  bisoux!

monet

upon arriving in paris, i heard that there was a once-in-a-lifetime exhibit on monet in paris that was ending this monday.  being the crazed monet fan that i am, i absolutely HAD to go.  except, i went online and couldn't get tickets.  i tried to console myself, but still felt the strong pull of impressionist art.  then, my friend luisa told me that the exhibition was open 24hrs/day until in closed from now on and that she was going late last night.  we arrived at 11:15pm, waited 1.5 hours with two hundred of our closest friends, and finally went it.  it is a testament to the french value placed on art that so many people were there.  and it was truly exceptional.  i'm so glad i did it.

versailles

yesterday, EDUCO took us on an excursion to versailles.  only thirty minutes outside of paris, versailles is a spectacle like no other.  everything about the building is ornate, from the golden gate to the edging along the walls (sorry i forget what that's called) to the furniture (beautiful tapestries) to the woodwork (the rolltop desks made me think of my parents).  it was a great excursion!

trying to do as much sightseeing as possible... phew!

in my effort to see as much of the city as i can, i feel as though i've been a negligent blogger, so this will be a longer entry (if i don't fall asleep first).  yesterday was a great day starting with a coffee date then a walk along the seine to the EDUCO (my program) center in the Latin Quarter.  then, i was off to lunch at le crous, the cafeteria for students in paris.  however, this was a cafeteria unlike any other.  for a mere 3 euros. i was able to have beet salad, a goat cheese tart, zuchinni, and yogurt.  it was fabulous.  then i had a meeting with my academic advisors about choosing classes.  then, i was back walking along the seine to musée d'orsay.  yesterday was topped off by dinner with my host sisters.  today, i got a late start, and had my first non-french meal at hello sushi, right near the louvre.  then, the louvre.  the museum of all museums.  i saw the napoleon rooms, the mona lisa, and the venus de milo.  i think i need to go back to the louvre approximately 6 more times to feel as though i have given it proper attention.  then, i walked along rue de rivoli and the surrounding area for a bit of shopping and happened upon pierre hermé, the place my host mother said has the best macaroons in town.  and they were delightful.  then, i found myself back at angelina, home of the famous hot chocolate, and then i was off the the champs elysées for a stroll and then to see a french play.  phew, i'm exhausted.  tomorrow, i'm touring the universities and hopefully seeing the monet exhibit.

my address

hallie mitnick

chez gentil

16, rue des taillandiers

paris 75011

la famille gentil(le)

bonjour mes amis!  sorry i haven't written so long; i just figured out the internet in my host family's apartment.  these last two days have been whirlwind, and i can't wait to tell you about them.  yesterday, after waking up very late (delayed reaction jet lag?), i spent my last few hours in place d'italie at the hotel running errands.  then, it was off to my host family.  needless to say, i was very nervous.  i was nervous that: i wouldn't be able to get all my huge american bags up to their apartment on the 5th floor (there was an elevator, and all of them fit in with me in one trip, thank you very much), would they understand me (they all speak various amounts of english and somehow understand my french), would there be enough room for all my clothes (there is), and finally, would we connect (we did!).  the word "gentil" in french means very nice (like especially so).  think gentiles (very nice people who hid jews).  the gentil family completely lives up to its name.  they are composed of: monsieur and madame gentil and their two daughters, henriette and gabrielle.  last night, they helped me bring all my very heavy bags up to my room, and we all enjoyed a lovely, very french dinner together.  when i asked madame gentil about a tailor for my pants, she said she would help me do it tonight (tres gentille).  today, gabrielle spent quite awhile helping me set up the internet (tres gentille aussi).  they're absolutely lovely.  i feel so lucky.

recent photos

la première semaine (the first week)

sorry i haven't written so long.  it's hard to believe that it's only been a week since i've left home for paris!  what a wonderful end to the week it has been.  yesterday, i started off the day at musée de l'orangerie, a small museum that showcases some monet (to my pure delight) and a personal collection containing some impressionist and post-impressionist (i think) pieces.  i would definitely recommend the museum to anyone destined for paris, as it is small, very accessible, and in a great location (right near rue de rivoli and le jardin des tuileries).  then, i was off to lunch (if hot chocolate and a croissant constitute lunch) at angelina, world famous for their hot chocolate.  it was heavenly.  then, i stopped at repetto (mecca for ballet flats) and was off to my final french class (thank goodness).  this week has consisted of my first forays into french shopping and nightlife, and i have to confess, i like both very much.  tomorrow, i'm moving in with my host family, and i cannot wait.  until then, bisoux (xoxo)!

i promise to start taking pictures of people soon...

but how fabulous are they??

the difference between a plate and napkin

today was a wonderful day here in the city of lights, though i must confess to you, i had my first major french error.  i was having lunch at this adorable café near paris VII and needed another napkin (une serviette). i pointed to the girl across from me's napkin and asked for une assiette (plate).  i was confused when he brought her a plate and then finally (with the help of the girls i was lunching with) realized i had asked for the right thing.  i got to look at the course catalog today (inner bookish self explodes with excitement), and i'm so excited to pick my courses.  another wonderful dinner in place d'italie with my hotel roommate (haven't moved to my homestay yet).  a bientot!

Jour Deux: I don't think the glamour will ever wear off of Paris!

Today was a jam-packed day in the life of La Parisienne.  It started early with breakfast at my hotel and then my first Metro experience.  Note: All public transit systems should model themselves after the Metro, for it is an amazing thing.  It is simple, clean, and fast.  Also, there is a gentleman selling fruit outside my Metro stop.  I spent the morning in orientation with a charming lunch at a restaurant near Paris VII (espresso with lunch... this is a wonderful place).  Then, I had afternoon French class.  Upon my return to Place d'Italie and my wonderful hotel, I did a little shopping (French stationary store and beauty shop=Hallie's dream).  Someone asked me for directions!  This means one of two things.  One, I look like une parisienne.  Two, I look like a fellow lost person.  Either way, it was really exciting (for those of you who are wondering, I didn't know which way their hotel was).  Then I had my first French café experience.  With my glass of red wine and brie sandwich, I watched as people young and old smiled, laughed, and lived.  There really is a reason that joie de vivre is a French concept.  French people live their everyday lives with joy, and it is something to which I aspire.  That was followed by Love et les Autre Drogues at the local cinema.  Watching a fun, hip movie in French is exciting, but also very telling about the things they missed in all my years of French.  French may be the language of love, but this love story provided a whole new set of vocabulary.  It was another great day!

first day in paris

I have arrived, and I'll never be the same again.  Paris is the most beautiful city I've ever seen.  Everywhere you look, there is amazing architecture.  I just want to take a picture of every building.  Every street corner has an adorable little restaurant with water served in class bottles, lots of wine, and delicious-looking food.  I have yet to experience the corner café  I'm currently staying at Hotel de Citadines in a cute little studio (emphasis on "little," my bags look even larger in France).  I'm not moving in with my host family for a week, but I have all their information.  It's a mother, father, and two daughters, and I spoke to one of the daughters this evening, and she seemed lovely.  I can't wait to meet them!  What amazes me about Paris, too, is how even cheap food is delicious (my lunch=crepes avec fromage at a greasy spoon=excellent).  I went on a bus tour of the monuments this afternoon and took the first of many pictures of the Eiffel Tower. Paris, je t'aime!

paris bound!

Paris bound!!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

It's here!

Hooray!  The day I've been waiting for is almost here!  It's the night before I leave for Paris, and I can't believe tomorrow I'll be boarding the plane for the city I've been dreaming about since I was a little girl.  A few anecdotes of my earlier interactions with French culture come to mind.  First is Madame Burnett, my French teacher in elementary school.  She wore two different earrings, and I once asked her why, and she said it was because those were two favorites.  Love that French joie de vivre.  Second, for eighth grade French class, we got five points for making a French dish.  Naturally, being the overachiever that I was, I absolutely HAD to make Julia Child's chocolate mousse.  I nearly cried, but it was delicious.  OK, so back to my pre-departure self.  Two duffels filled to the brim, hoping I will be able to tip the guy out of charging me for the enormity of my luggage, I'm all packed.  Packing was a bit of a struggle, to be sure, due to the fact that I have unrealistic expectations about my packing abilities, both in the physical act of packing clothes (luckily, my mother and sister came to my aid) and in bringing the proper amount of stuff (how can I not bring a million shoes to Paris?!).  I have gotten so many wonderful suggestions of places to go and things to see from everyone (special thanks go to Bizbie and Grandpop for all their suggestions).  I have an array of French dictionaries, Euros, my passport, enough black sweaters to clothe a small nation, and so much excitement, nervousness, and sincere appreciation for the wonderful journey I'm about to embark on. Here I go... see you in Paris! xoxox

Bienvenue à La Parisienne!

Welcome friends and family to my travel blog!  I am so excited to share my upcoming semester in Paris and travels around Europe with you.  Talk to you soon!